Running clubs had a fine time over the May Day bank holiday weekend with plenty of events to choose from - although it was a home tie that drew the attention.
The Hitchin Town Centre 10k had a total of 795 finishers, starting and finishing in Market Place and with a loop out of town.
And the overall winner belonged to North Herts Road Runners, Ben Hadman finishing in 34 minutes 19 seconds.
Peter Males of Hitchin Running Club rounded out the top 10.
The event also incorporated the county championship and the Squirrels were dominant here too, winning both the men's and women's team event.
Sophie Thrussell, Rhia Botha and Karen Townsend formed the gold medal women's team, the latter delighted with her efforts having become a mum just 10 weeks ago.
The men's gold medal winning squad were Hadman, Shaun Allin, Steve McKeown and David Edwards.
Thrussell was the winner in the FV30 age group, Astrid McKeown took top honours in the FV50 category while Caroline Thrussell was first FV60.
Allin took the win for the MV20s.
Fairlands Valley Spartans also had an age group winner in Yuko Gordon, lifting the FV70 crown in 48:13.
And they also had Ashley Johnson on the overall podium, her time of 40:35 giving her third female as well as the MV40 victory.
Brian White's first race since knee surgery saw finish in 45:25, and third MV60, while Charlie Cook was the fastest Spartan on the day in 39:00, good enough for 17th.
Seven from Stevenage Phoenix made the short journey with Richard Moore the first home in 50:51, just over a minute in front of Ken Hall who was third in his age category.
Katie Mitham had a strong run of 56:41 with Jo Heasman crossing the line in 58:58.
Caitlin Evans ran with a friend to achieve a sub-one hour time, 59:16, while Kelsee Watson (1:05:25) and Denise Ricot (1:12:28) completed the Phoenician squad.
Phoenix also had a trio at Silverstone this week, not in cars, but completing a 10k round the F1 track.
Two of them followed the racing line perfectly, resulting in PBs - James Woodcock in 46:46 and George Bradshaw in 49:02.
Bobby Buckley was agonisingly 11 seconds off his PB, finishing in 47:28.
Jodie Kantas took on her toughest running challenge yet when she started the Action Challenge Isle of Wight Ultra.
This was a 106 km route on mixed terrain that gave fantastic views of the island, although the final part was in the dark.
She finished at 1am for a time of 17:01:40.
There were more medal winners for Spartans at the county track and field championships for veterans.
Mike Jeffs took home two golds, in the MV40 100m and 200m, as well as a silver, while Jim Brown got golds in the 1500m and 5,000m
Sharon Crowley won gold and bronze in the FV60 group, getting the gold in the 1500m and bronze in the hammer.
It was gold too for Alison Shelley in the FV50 1500m while Paul Shelley got a medal too for the MV50 race.
Laurie Scott of North Herts Road Runners was another who went to the ultra well, completing the Run to the Sea 50k.
The multi-terrain route went from Horsham to Brighton seafront and he finished in 6:45:19.
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